The xmas special isnt being filmed until december, because none of the dancers will be around after the final, most of them, and the production crew are all going on holiday. They deserve a break...

There's a bit more info about it now, posted today on the latest news.

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/article/ds26456.html

As it says that the top three dancers from the current series will be invited to take part, that's extra incentive to keep your favourites int he show.

Ooooh, sounds good! Jill will win!!!!

I've seen bits and pieces of Aussie Dancing With the Stars when I was over there, it wasn't as good as ours but I'd quite like to see some Home & Away stars strut their stuff again!

oh no jill will not have it her own way the USA winner kelly monaco was great but John O'hurley the runner up was fantastic the us public were so outraged that ABC organised a dance off and O'hurley won!!! on the back of it he is now starring in Chicargo on Broadway!!! On US panel was our lovely Len but one of the Women was a bigger bitch than Arlene

hehe!!! I haven't seen any of the US people, I can't really comment. I was only joking, but I do hope Jill does well!

It'll be interesting to see how many couples dance. If it's only Jill/Darren and this years top three then it means some of our big professional stars of the show (Brendan and Anton in particular) wouldn't be involved - which would be a mistake on the BBC's part because whatever your personal feelings about the two they are a big part of the show. I suppose they can have a maximum of 12 couples but could we get 6 from the American version? And would Natasha want to dance again? (I'd assume Anton would dance with Lesley and she'd jump at the chance.)

I'd love Anton & Lesley to dance again! and Aled & Lilia!! Not bothered about the others, not Natasha!

quite frankly I really hope Anton is not in it his Latin is not up to it and any of his partners wouldnt stand a chance we want people who will hve a real chance at winning I do hope Charlotte Jorgensen who partned John O'Hurley is in it makes you wonder if they deliberately gave Darren Gloria to ensure he could dance with Jill and Brendan could dance with Natasha Anton and Lesley would not stand a chance

Personally I wouldn't be bothered if Natasha wasn't there either but I know a lot of people who would be!

And it would be fantastic to see Aled and Lilia dancing again.

I know you're not in any shape or form a fan of Anton's bendy, but I really enjoy watching him dance. Especially with Lesley. They had a real magic together and were always a joy to watch. And to be honest I don't think the fact that he's not as good at the latin would be a problem - surely they'd be dancing a ballroom dance together like in last year's xmas special. Wouldn't they have every couple do a different dance and let the professionals argue it out amongst themselves about who does what?

Isn't it weird how the latin pros dance ballroom and it looks fantastic, but when the ballroom pros dance latin it looks a bit odd? Is ballroom easier to adapt to?

I think the idea of the programme is to get an all round dancer over the 10 dances hence one pro not sticking to ballroom and another latin

Yes I do realise Im biased against Tony and I really dont mean to have a go at those who like him I dont post in the Anton appreciation thread and stuff I do respect other peoples favourites not saying too much all I can say is I know him and that colours my opinion

As for the likes of Ian and Darren bennet when they were kids they did the 10 dances and did them well couples usually specialise when they turn 16 and Ian if I remember rightly was really good at Ballroom too especially in the days of his partnership with Melanie Walker

Marcus Hilton ex World Ballroom Champion won the World Amateur Latin so
many couples can do both just that Anton is just a ballroom dancer

As a fellow professional dance teacher, I totally agree with bendy's views about Anton. (Thought I'd let you know you are not alone - he isn't that great!) However, everyone is entitled to their opinion and it would be really boring if we all liked the same people. I'm just saying this from a professional dance perspective. also a lot of juniors enter ballroom and latin comps and 10 dance comps, and this as you say applied to Ian and Darren B. , which is why they are so good at both, they have done them from kids. I actually cringe watchin anton do latin, it is so awful technically! I also know anton, ian and darren b, and as you say that does affect ones personal view if you have seen them dance over time!

I do hope the christmas special happens with the best dancers and professionals in it - something to look forward to!

Yeah, Anton makes me laugh and he's entertaining, but I don't think he's that great a dancer!!

I was thinking a minutes ago, about of of the pros I do rate the most (not that I know that much about dancing!). Not sure, they all have their strengths. Those I like for their personalities are not necessarily the best dancers.

You really are a step ahead of us Bendy - I never thought of that

Good thought! You could well be right! You obviously think like a BBC producer! (Sorry, that's probably an insult!)

totally agree with your comments re dancing bewest nice to know another pro is around reading these - my views on anton are not based on his dancing but on him and a few run ins but that is another story not for here

Now that is just teasing!!!!!!!!

I'd be interested in hearing more - your comment is presumably based on meeting him, my instinctive 'dislike' of him is only based on seeing him on the TV.

I really can't see why so many people seem to like him and find him attractive! When he's talking on ITT I can sense something lurking behind his smiles and jokes.....

On the dance floor he's good at the ballroom but hasn't got a latin streak in him at all.

Erm, sorry for going off topic

I'm just glad there's going to be a Christmas special!

So is this Christmas Special being filmed at the BBC in London and who will be hosting it?

I'm glad we are getting another show following the final but i really do worry that the BBC are risking flogging this dancing theme to the point of irritation. They're getting like ITV in terms of potential genre fatigue. I reckon skipping that second series of Strictly Dance Fever would do the whole concept a lot of good. Frankly.

Know what you mean bendymixer re Anton! Say no more!

Can we have the judges dancing in the Christmas special? .....perhaps even being marked by the winning and runner-up celebs. *slap on the wrist for wicked thoughts*

RE: Anton.

I can see he is definitely the type of person that some people are going to utterly hate. He has obviously got an ego on him (but no where near as much as some other celebrities I've met). But to be perfectly honest I don't particularly care.

I enjoy watching him dance. I've known a few people who have had lessons with him and said he was very supportive and encouraging no matter how bad they were. I've met him myself 5 or 6 times now and he's always been charming, friendly, funny and very kind.

Obviously some of you haven't had such a good experience and I know there's a fair number of people I can't stand (for very good reasons!) who others rave about. No one is going to get on with everyone, no one is going to be perfect or nice to everyone, no one is going to like everyone else.

I base my opinions on my own experience, you base yours on yours. Respect to you for not going round bashing though. Most appreciated.

quite agree with you claire you must take people as you find them and unfortunately my exprience wasnt as good as yours though I knew Tony in the days and years before SCD as his normal self you might say - I love all the debate on here re the celebs and dancers and if we all liked the same there would be no point in the show and it would be pretty boring here only thing it lacks is news stories on here - which is a shame

But those are wicked thoughts I like

I hate to upset any Jill & Darren fans out there, but from the wispers I've heard, despite press reports, Jill is now no longer taking part in the Christmas Special

You certainly live up to your name
I hope is isn't true and we do see her and Darren again. We really need the reperesentation if we are to have any hope of beating the top quality Americans.